Manchester City 2-1 Southampton: Match recap
By Ben Whitlock
Despite putting in a heroic performance, Saints were left heartbroken as Raheem Sterling’s sublime goal stole all three points in the 96th minute.
Saints’ confidence was high after beating Everton 4-1 on Sunday, but all of their good work was put to waste as they allowed a player of Sterling’s quality too much time and space on the edge of the box, and were punished in the cruelest fashion.
Mauricio Pellegrino debuted a 5-3-2 for his side, and for 95 minutes, his masterplan worked. Once Saints equalised in the 75th minute through Oriol Romeu, City started to apply even more pressure, and although it looked like Southampton were going to keep them out, in-form Sterling’s curling effort flew in to the back of the net with basically the last kick of the game.
Even though City rested the ever impressive Sane, and benched Silva, they still fielded an incredibly strong starting XI.
Related Story: Southampton 4-1 Everton: Match recap
They took the lead in the first minute of the second half, after Kevin De Bruyne’s free kick flicked off Van Dijk’s shin and squeezed in to Forster’s bottom corner. A goal that was totally underserved was levelled out by Romeu’s strike, after Boufal’s beautiful first touch and pass set him up with an open goal, before Sterling struck late.
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The win meant City regained their eight point lead at the top of the table, while Saints now sit in 11th.
Saints’ excellent performance will allow both the players and the fans to take a lot of positives in to Sunday’s away game against Bournemouth.
Manchester City meanwhile face West Ham this Sunday, who themselves go into the game after a drubbing against Everton. It therefore promises to a high-scoring affair in favour of the hosts.
The Saints can draw positives from their performance and Pellegrino should take praise for the change in system too. Many before had suggested he was too ‘stubborn’ or ‘naive’ to try a radically different set-up. We may see it return against other big sides.